Engine drive



Oct. 12, 1948. J. D. BELL.

ENGINE DRIVE Filed Dec. 5, 1944 INVENTORT Patented Get. 12, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ENGINE DRIVE Joseph D. Bell, San Francisco, Calif. Application December 5, 1944, Serial No. 566,765

6 Claims. 1

The present invention relates to improvements in an Engine drive, and has particular reference to a cam drive, such as has been described in my co-pending application, Serial Number 518,466, filed January 15, 1944, now Patent 2,440,674, issued May 4, 1948. I

While in the pending application, I have shown the general features of my invention, I propose, in the present application, to describe and claim more specific structure developed by me in the further pursuit of the principal idea.

In'the pending application it was proposed to provide two concentric helical cam tracks interlocked for rotary movement in opposite directions, and a rectilinearly movable drive pin engaging over both cam tracks at their intersection for rotating the cam tracks on the power stroke and for being lifted by the cams on the return stroke. An additional cam track was provided to exert pull on the pin on the suction stroke of the engine.

In the present invention it is proposed to provide two cam tracks for the suction stroke as well as for the drive stroke of an engine, and this arrangement requires the solution of certain structural problems, in as much as the pin is arranged to project over the cam tracks from the outside, which makes it necessary for the outer cam at least, to extend through the entire thickness of the cylinder carrying the cam.

Thus, it becomes necessary to make the oute cam tracks in two independent pieces and to connect the same with respect to the inner cam tracks so that all the tracks move in the desired direction in exactly timed relation and without an shift in their relative positions throughout the life of the mechanism.

It is proposed in the present invention to provide a structural arrangement in which these conditions are met, and in which the two outer cam tracks, although made in separate parts operate in unison and are made to revolve in a direction opposite to that of the inner cam tracks.

It is further proposed to provide a special arrangement whereby the two outer cam tracks are mounted with respect to the inner cam tracks so as to avoid any possibility of endwise movement of either of the outer tracks with respect to the other, without interfering with the rotary movement.

A still further object of the invention is to combine the various features into a compara tively simple structure of rugged character, arranged to allow a number of drive pins, in the case illustrated, four pins, to operate on the same cam tracks, whereby the four cylinders of the trated in the accompanying drawings, forming part of this application, in which:

Figure 1 shows a vertical section through my engine drive; a

Figure 2, a horizontal section taken along line 22' of Figure 1; and

Figure 3, a development of the cam tracks.

While I have shown only the preferred form of my invention, it should be understood that various changes or modification may be made within the scope of the claims hereto attached, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Referring to the drawings in detail, my engine drive comprises in its principal features, a main shaft I, a cylinder 2 mounted thereon concentrically and in spaced relation thereto, a pair of symmetrical helical cam tracks 3 in the cylinder, a pair of cylindrical caps 4 and 5 revolvable on the ends of the cylinder and having upper and lower cam tracks 6 symmetrical with the cam tracks of the cylinder, means for holding the caps against endwise movement, gearing interconnecting the cylinder and the caps for rotation in opposite directions, and a drive pin 1 engaging over the tracks in driving relation to paired tracks. 7

The shaft l is supported between two plates H) which may be held in spaced relation by any suitable means, as by the bolts H and which should be considered, for the purpose of the present invention, as being fixed to a suitable support. The shaft is formed with a central hub I2 having two spaced discs l3 to which the cylinder 2 is secured by means of screws I4.

The shaft carries two fixed abutments l5 on oppositeends thereof, equally spaced from the hub, and suitable bearings l6 are introduced between the abutments and the plate Ill, whereby the shaft I is firmly held against endwise motion, but is free to revolve about its own axis.

The two cylindrical caps 4 and 5 are revolvably mounted upon opposite ends of the cylinder 2 in such a manner that the cam tracks 6 of the two' caps run parallel'to one another and define gearing 2 I -2 2-23.

cylinder 2 by means of a ring gear 2| secured upon the end of the cap, a ring gear 22 secured i upon the abutment l and interposed beveled 'pinions 23 mounted on the stub shafts 29 revolvable in brackets 25 secured to'one 'ofth'e plates l0. 1

Each drive pin 1 carries two rollers 26 en the work of rotating the cams and of lifting the pin.

The next pin may be on the suction stroke and has to be forced downward by the two upper cam tracks, while the fourth pin 1d is on the compression stroke and has to be lifted by the lower tracks.

Thus it will be seen that for each stroke, in a four-cycle engine, there are twotracks availabIetocOOperate with the pin in accomplishing the result. "Theadvantag'e of this double-acting engagement has been more fully explained in my co-pending application. -,;.-I t,--is obvious that opposing pistons may be added to applicants present construction by merely-continuing the lower end of the connecting. rods on, through. the bottom frame plate and connecting pistons to it. In such a, case the gagement over the outer and inner tracksr respectively. It is carried by the piston rod 21, which'may be in the form of a hollow tube, and which is connected to a piston :28 at its upper end. The piston rod is guided for straight "vertical. movement by means of a plate,29 fixed to the rod and slidable on two spaced vertical posts 30. The piston may form part of a conventionalinternal combusion engine, not shown, in thedraw mgs. r Fortherpurposes of the-present illustration, I have shown the cam tracks as consisting of two complete waves, with four :drive pins and four pistons, so that thefour engine cylinders may be grouped above the upper plate NJ to form a compact unit with the drive herein described. It is obvious that the cam tracks may be readilymodified to comprise one, three or more complete waves, with a, eorrespondingor suitablechange in'the number of pistons employed. Thus, threewave twin cams might :be operated by three pistons, which would provide more room for the engine cylinders. 1 a

. The method of assembling the structure is Very' simple: After the hub has been secured to the shaft I, and the cylinder 2 to the hub, the inner bearings. Zfl may, be applied, and the capswith their bushings i8 andbearings I 9 telescopedinto-place.v Next, the outer bearings -2|) are applied and lthe .abutments I 5 positioned. 'Ihereupon the outermost bearings l6 are pushed on, and the. whole assembly is completed by securing the; plates 16' upon the outermost ,bearings. -The pinion 2;; may be readily installed at any oppor tune time 1 Theoperation of the unit is as follows:.. Beginning withthe position shown in Figure, 1 and assuming that the inner and outer cams; are rotating under the influence ofmomentum, and innpposite directions, sufficiently to over-, come dead center. The two crests shown in-the; left side of the drawing will split to form a crotch, and the pin 1 will drive down alonga straightline to descend into the crotch and to-force thecams apart forrotating the cylinder and thecapsin opposite directions.

In Figure 3 this drive pin, identifiedbythe character 1a, is shown on the downward path... Thei-rotary force of the outer caps; is re-trans-g the main shaft lay-the;

ferred to the cylinder and In the meantime, the next-drive pin il -which would be on the forward side in Figure 1, has been forced upward in the nextcrotch; say, on the r In thiscase 'as in the;prec ed ingone, thetwo lower eam rtracksghavedone,

exhaust stroke.

upper sleeve cam shown more important.

,1 claim: 1. Inan enginedrive of the character-dee scribed,- a' shaft,. a cylinder mounted upon the shaft and having two axially spaced and -sym-'- metriccam tracks, two separate sleeves revolv able upon opposite ends of the cylinder in closely spaced relationship therewith and having corresponding axially. spaced cam tracks registering in the drawing is still with and of substantially the same pitch as the;

cam tracks of the cylinder and forming crotches. with said cylinder cam tracks uponrelative turn-; ing .movement, and apush pin extending from the outside of the sleeves through the space be.- tweenthe sleeve cam tracks and into the space between the cylinder cam tracks and in driving relation with all of the cam tracks. V

2..In an engine drive of the character described, a shaft, a cylinder mounted upon theshaft and havingtwo axially spacedandsymmetric camtracks, two separate sleeves .revolvable upon op posite ends of the cylinder in closely spaced re lationship therewith and having corresponding axially spaced cam tracks registering with' and of substantially the same pitch as the'cam tracks of the cylinder. and forming crutches with said cylinder cam tracks upon relative turning move-.

ment, and a. push pin extending from the outside of the sleeves through the space between the.

sleeve cam tracks and into thespace between the cylinder earn tracks and in driving relation with all of. the'cam tracks,-and cooperable meanson thesleeve and on the-shaft for holding the sleeves.

for synchrpnizing against endwise motion and the rotary motion of the sleeves.

3..In an engine drive of'th characteradescribed, a shaft,.a cylinder mounted upon the. shaft and'having twoaxiallyspaced andsymmetric jcam tracks, two separate sleeves revolvcylinder in closely able upon opposite ends of the spaced relationship therewith, and having corresponding axiall spaced cam'tracks registering. with the cam tracks of the cylinder. and of substantially the same pitch and forming crotches therewith .upon relative turning movement. 1 a pushpin extending from the outside of the sleeves through the space between the. sleeve -:cam tracks:

into the space between the cylinder cam tracks and in driving relation with all of .the-camtracka.

and oooperablemeans on the sleeves and on the shaft for holding the sleeves against endWiSe'motion and for synchronizing; the rotary motion of the sleeves, said sleeves having means bearing'; on

the shaft for steadying the sleeves. v 4.1 an engine drive of thechara-ctc describe I a shafthaving a hub. thereon andhavingtwofring gears spaced on opposite sides of the hub, 9. cylinder mounted on the hub and having two axially spaced and symmetric cam tracks, two separate sleeves revolvable upon opposite ends of the cylinder in closely spaced relationship therewith and having corresponding axially spaced cam tracks registering with the cam tracks of the cylinder and of substantially the same pitch as the cylinder cam tracks and forming therewith crotches upon relative turning movement, a push pin extendin from the outside of the sleeves through the space between the sleeve cam tracks into the space between the cylinder cam tracks and in driving relation with all of the cam tracks, and means on the sleeves cooperable with the ring gears for holding the sleeves against endwise motion and for synchronizing the rotary motion of the sleeves.

5. In an engine drive of the character described, a shaft having a hub thereon and having two ring gears on opposite sides of the hub spaced therefrom, a cylinder mounted on the hub and having two axially spaced and symmetric cam tracks, two separate sleeves revolvable upon opposite ends of the cylinder in closely spaced relationship therewith and having corresponding axially spaced cam tracks registering with the cam tracks of the cylinder and forming crotches therewith upon relative turning movement, a push pin extending from the outside of the sleeves through the space between the sleeve cam tracks into the space between the cylinder cam tracks and in driving relation with all of the cam tracks, and means on the sleeves cooperable with the ring gears for holding the sleeves against end- 6 wise motion and for synchronizing the rotary motion of the sleeves, said sleeves having bushings projecting into the cylinder and bearing on the shaft for steadying the sleeves.

6 In a combustion engine or the like, a frame, a shaft revolvable therein and carrying a pair of rotary members, one telescoped over the other, said members being connected for contra-rotating movement and being made with slanting tracks, a piston drive pin, the said pin being operable to rotate the members when moving in one direction and to be moved in the opposite direction by the scissor-like action of the said tracks, the pin being mounted for projection over the said tracks from one side thereof, and a second pair of similar rotary members carried by the shaft in opposing relation to the first pair and being connected for contra-rotating movement in synchronism therewith, the second pair being operable-for moving the piston drive pin in the first-named direction.

JOSEPH D. BELL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,211,488 Reed Jan. 9, 1917 1,727,051 Davis Sept. 3, 1929 1,876,506 Lee Sept. 6, 1932 1,948,526 Liles Feb. 27, 1934 2,353,313 Lane July 11, 1944 

